Tweets,
Ancient murrelets will feed in tide rips and close in if there is
abundant food. Vic Nelson tells me that, if they are around, they are likly
to be feeding in close at his place which is on the bay between Point No
Point and Hansville (but closer by far to Point No Point). That bay attracts
hordes of BONAPARTE'S to feed on the Eupahasids (spelling) that concentrate
there and I presume that is what the ANCIENT MURRELETS are feeding on also.
Vic's place is the Point No Point Resort and it has been bought by the WA FWS
(using hunter's and fishermen's dollars and we birders are welcome even
though we did not contribute).
In most years when they are scarce the best places to see them are from
the Port Townsend-Keystone Ferry or the tip of Point Wilson near Port
Townsend as well as Point No Point because of the great tide rips that we can
get close too at those spots.
Incidentally, a group of ANCIENT MURRETLETS in flight form a line unlike
MARBLED MURRELETS and furthermore when they are flying along low over the
water they dive into the water (instead of landing and then diving). It is a
great sight to see the line flying along a few feet above the water and
then all dive in in unison. I sespect that behavior is distinctive at least
for our local alcidae.
Bob Norton
Joyce, WA